Aside

I am a quantiative invasion entomologist specializing in biostatistics/data science, invasion biology, and teaching. I am seeking to leverage my experience managing complex ecological projects, analyzing data, and communicating results to a wide variety of collaborators to find a role as a data scientist.

Contact

Skills

Communicating technical material to non-technical audiences
R and R Studio
Data Visualization (R and Shiny)
git & GitHub
HPC with R
Relational Databases
Basic Python and SQL

Disclaimer

Made with the R package pagedown.

The source code is available on github.com/nstrayer/cv.

Last updated on 2021-11-11.

Main

Jacob Wittman

Projects

Estimating the range of attraction of a sex-pheromone used in traps to detect emerald ash borer

University of Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN

2021 - 2018

  • Applied a novel trapping arrangement in conjunction with a non-linear Bayesian regression to elucidate the range of attraction of a sex-pheromone used to trap emerald ash borer.
  • Determined that the sex-pheromone is likely attractive at a range of 90 feet.
  • The range of attraction is used by managers internationally to develop efficient early-detection trap networks.

Evaluating anisotropy in the spread of emerald ash borer

University of Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN

2021 - 2019

  • Used generalized additive models and simultaneous autoregressive models to model the spread of emerald ash borer across North America.
  • Model predictions will be used by managers in North America to assess when emerald ash borer will spread to their communities and plan management tactics accordingly.

Forecasting overwintering mortality of a biological control agent in North America

University of Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN

2020 - 2018

  • Designed experiments to assess the cold tolerance of a parasitic wasp used to control populations of emerald ash borer.
  • Forecast overwintering survival of this parasitic wasp across the USA and Canada using generalized estimating equations.

Determining the efficacy of regulatory requirements on limiting the spread of Lymantria dispar

University of Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN

2018 - 2016

  • Developed experiments to determine the efficacy of regulatory requirements in lumber yards designed to reduce the spread of the invasive moth Lymantria dispar.
  • Using generalized linear models and Monte Carlo simulation, showed that current regulatory requirements were likely sufficient to reduce inadvertent movement of this insect.

Education

PhD., Entomology (graduate minor Biostatistics)

University of Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN

Current - 2018

M.S., Entomology

University of Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN

2018 - 2016

B.S., Biology, Environmental Studies (minor Secondary Education)

Luther College

Decorah, IA

2012 - 2008

Publications

These are a selection of first-authored publications. For a complete list of publications, presentations, and posters please visit my full CV at my Google Scholar Profile.

Forecasting overwintering mortality of Spathius galinae in North America

Biological Control 160: 104694

N/A

2021

J. Wittman, B. Aukema, J. Duan, and R. Venette

Optimizing early detection strategies: defining the effective attraction radius of attractants for emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire

Agricultural and Forest Entomology 23(4): 527 – 535.

N/A

2021

J. Wittman, P. Silk, K. Parker, and B. Aukema

A guide and toolbox to replicability and open science in entomology.

Journal of Insect Science 20(3): 1 – 9.

N/A

2020

J. Wittman and B. Aukema

Foliage type and deprivation alters the movement behavior of late instar European gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)

Journal of Insect Behavior 32(1): 25 – 37.

N/A

2019

J. Wittman and B. Aukema

Characterizing and simulating the movement of late-instar gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) to evaluate the effectiveness of regulatory practices

Environmental Entomology 48(3): 496 - 606.

N/A

2019

J. Wittman, R. Nicoll, S. Myers, P. Chaloux, and B. Aukema




Selected Teaching Experience

Both learning and teaching are life-long skills that can be employed in any position. I am passionate about learning from and teaching others.

Private R and Statistics Tutor

Online

Wyzant Tutoring

Current - 2019

Spatial and Temporal Analyses (ENT 5126)

University of Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN

2020

Insect Biology (ENT 1005)

University of Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN

2018

Science Teacher (7 - 12 grade)

DREAM Technical Academy

Willmar, MN

2016 - 2014